By Brete Murphy · November 11, 2026
A working index of historical members associated with Anchor-Astoria Lodge No. 729 and its six constituent lodge histories. Each section records founding connections, documented offices and brief biographical notes, with unresolved identities and membership details kept visible.
Anchor-Astoria: Main History · Anchor-Astoria’s Lineage · The Seven Lodges
Scope of the Directory
This is a growing research index, not a complete membership roll.
The six constituent histories are Anchor, Astoria, Richmond Hill, Wakefield, Granite and Cathedral.
Their later combinations included Anchor-Astoria, Richmond Hill-Wakefield, Cathedral-Granite and Queensboro.
These are institutional continuations, not six separate active warrants held alongside the present lodge.
The directory distinguishes:
- Founders and petitioners.
- Verified charter membership.
- Early officers and later members.
- Life dates and dates of lodge activity.
- Membership in an original lodge and membership documented only in a combined body.
Living members are not included.
The Lineage at a Glance
| Constituent lodge | Number | Original community | Beginning identified in the supplied research | Later combination |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchor | 729 | College Point | Dispensation, November 26, 1872; charter, May 1873 | Anchor-Astoria, December 1, 1985 |
| Richmond Hill | 892 | Richmond Hill | Institution, May 17, 1911, in the preferred chronology; constitution, May 22, 1912 | Richmond Hill-Wakefield, January 1, 1978 |
| Astoria | 963 | Astoria | First regular meeting under dispensation, June 27, 1919; constitution, June 2, 1920 | Anchor-Astoria, December 1, 1985 |
| Granite | 1011 | Ridgewood | Institution, November 25, 1922; charter, May 3, 1923 | Cathedral-Granite, May 4, 1976 |
| Cathedral | 1031 | South Richmond Hill / Liberty Avenue | Charter, 1924 | Cathedral-Granite, May 4, 1976 |
| Wakefield | 1110 | South Ozone Park | Organizing meeting, November 12, 1929; institution, September 8, 1930; constitution, June 11, 1931 | Richmond Hill-Wakefield, January 1, 1978 |
Richmond Hill-Wakefield and Cathedral-Granite combined as Queensboro No. 892 on December 4, 1986.
Queensboro joined Anchor-Astoria on April 13, 2024.
The present lodge meets at 18-14 College Point Boulevard.[1]
Read the Complete Anchor-Astoria Lineage →
Anchor Lodge No. 729
Anchor began working under dispensation in College Point in November 1872 and received its charter in May 1873.
Their history describes a June 11, 1873 ceremony conducted by District Deputy Ellwood E. Thoren and reports twenty-three members.
Lodge tradition places the earliest meetings in the Poppenhusen Institute.
Anchor’s Golden Jubilee account also credits Cornucopia visitors with assistance during difficult early years.[2]
Founding and Charter Roster
| Research item | Period | Current position |
|---|---|---|
| Founding and charter membership | 1872–1873 | Name-by-name roster not yet entered |
| Reported twenty-three members | June 1873 | Membership at the ceremony should be checked separately from the final charter roster |
Officers and Members Identified in the Research
| Name | Documented connection | Dated reference | Biographical or research note | Related article |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry C. Buncke | Identified as an Anchor Past Master | Public-service references, 1905–1934; Whitestone connection, 1922 | The supplied research identifies Board of Water Supply and Commissioner of Accounts work. His assistance to Whitestone rests on the historian’s notes and needs contemporary corroboration. Approximate life dates from family trees are not adopted here.[3] | The College Point Temple |
The separate Buncke member feature should be linked when its publication path is confirmed.
Read The Tuesday Night Visitors: Cornucopia and Anchor →
Astoria Lodge No. 963
The Anchor-Astoria history identifies thirteen Masons organizing a new lodge in 1918 after leaving an unnamed “mother lodge.”
Several connections point toward Advance, but the earlier affiliation of every founder remains unconfirmed.
Astoria’s first regular meeting under dispensation took place in Advance’s temple on June 27, 1919.
Its constitution followed on June 2, 1920.
The later history records Castle Hall use during the difficult 1930–1937 period, without supplying exact occupancy dates.
Astoria consolidated with Anchor in 1985. The lodge history reports 123 members from Astoria and 265 from Anchor.[2]
The Thirteen Founders
The following are identified as founders in the supplied history.
They should not automatically be treated as a complete verified charter roster.
| Name | Founding connection | Dated reference | Research note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albert Barge | Founder | 1918 | Individual membership and life records to be entered |
| Rudolph Boenke | Founder | 1918 | Individual membership and life records to be entered |
| Frank Elwanger | Founder | 1918 | Individual membership and life records to be entered |
| Edward A. Hertberg | Founder | 1918 | Spelling and individual record to be checked |
| Charles Nauber | Founder | 1918 | Individual membership and life records to be entered |
| William N. Platz Sr. | Founder | 1918 | Individual membership and life records to be entered |
| James Prowse Sr. | Founder | 1918 | Participant in Advance’s cornerstone in 1915; described as a Past Master in a 1926 report, but the lodge of mastership is unresolved |
| Augustus Rusa Sr. | Founder | 1918 | Spelling and individual record to be checked |
| Joseph M. Scherer | Founder | 1918 | Individual membership and life records to be entered |
| Henry Sendele | Founder | 1918 | Individual membership and life records to be entered |
| Harry G. Sims | Founder | 1918 | Individual membership and life records to be entered |
| Jacob Stockinger Jr. | Founder | 1918 | Individual membership and life records to be entered |
| Chapman E. Strong | Founder; styled “Worshipful” | 1918 | The title does not identify the lodge or dates of his mastership |
Read Astoria’s Thirteen Founders →
Officers and Members of Note
| Name | Documented connection | Dated reference | Biographical or research note | Related article |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Prowse Jr. | Identified as an Astoria charter member; Master in 1926 | Raised in Advance, May 1, 1900; dimitted in 1920 | Advance’s register identifies his occupation as marble buffer and monumental stone cutter. No supplied record establishes that he made the cornerstone donated by his father.[4] | The Two James Prowses |
Richmond Hill Lodge No. 892
The preferred chronology in the author’s research places Richmond Hill’s institution on May 17, 1911.
Some later references give an earlier beginning, so the institution date still requires reconciliation with Grand Lodge proceedings.
Its constitution took place at Arcanum Hall on May 22, 1912, the evening after Hillside’s constitution in the same hall.
Richmond Hill dedicated its Stoothoff Avenue temple on March 15, 1916.
Wakefield later used the building.
The two lodges consolidated in 1978.[5]
Founding-Period Officers and Early Charter References
The 1911 officer list is not automatically a complete charter roster.
| Name | Role identified in the supplied research | Dated reference | Biographical or research note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frank E. Phillips | First Master | 1911 | Office chronology and life record to be completed |
| W. R. Failing | Senior Warden | 1911 | Full name and life record to be established |
| Frederick Boschen | Treasurer | 1911 | Individual source file to be completed |
| E. Stanley Homan | Secretary | 1911 | Full name and life record to be established |
| Dr. L. Howard Moss | Senior Deacon | 1911 | Identified as a physician |
| Edward Vreeland | Master of Ceremonies | 1911 | Identified as a hay and grain dealer |
| Rev. William P. Evans | Chaplain | 1911 | Identified as rector of the Church of the Resurrection; membership should be verified independently of the office reference |
| Peter Fraser | Identified as a charter member | Died 1914 | Liverpool-born plastering contractor in the supplied research |
Read Two Lodges in Two Nights: Arcanum Hall, 1912 →
Other Members and Office References
| Name | Documented connection | Dated reference | Biographical or research note | Related article |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emil G. Sauer | Early member | Date not yet entered | Identified as a carpet designer | — |
| Francis C. Richardson | Early member | Date not yet entered | Identified as a builder | — |
| Charles F. Ruckstuhl | Early member | Date not yet entered | Identified as treasurer of a printing firm | — |
| Thomas J. Towers | Junior Deacon, Senior Deacon and Master | 1914, 1915 and 1918 respectively | District deputy by 1920; identified as the Queens Masonic Association’s first president in a January 1925 report.[6] | Thomas J. Towers |
| Harry G. Maybeck | Associated with the Fellowcraft team | 1915–1916 | Exact role and life record to be completed | — |
| Frank W. Maybeck | Member | Raised 1916; died 1933 | Exact degree date and obituary citation to be entered | — |
| Gilbert J. Raynor | Identified as a Past Master | November 1932 reference | Actual mastership dates not yet entered | — |
| Frank J. Weigand | Identified as a Past Master | November 1932 reference | Actual mastership dates not yet entered | — |
| George M. Hieber | Identified as a Past Master | November 1932 reference | Identified as a physician | — |
| Walter I. Lunt | Identified as a Past Master | November 1932 reference | Actual mastership dates not yet entered | — |
| Frederick J. Hall | Identified as a Past Master | November 1932 reference | Actual mastership dates not yet entered | — |
| Joseph H. Vreeland | Identified as a Past Master | November 1932 reference | Identified as Edward Vreeland’s son; retain the relationship’s source | — |
| Albert M. Corby | Identified as a Past Master | November 1932 reference | Actual mastership dates not yet entered | — |
| Virgil Guernsey | Master | 1928 | Individual source file to be completed | — |
| Charles Arthur Worden | Master-elect | Died January 1929 | Scout executive associated with the Queens Council; reported lying in state at the temple | — |
| Frederick M. Bronson | Identified as a Past Master | By 1932 | Actual mastership dates not yet entered | — |
| Roger Grothmann Jr. | Identified as a Past Master | By 1932 | Actual mastership dates not yet entered | — |
| Elmer E. Bullis | Identified as a Past Master | By 1932 | Actual mastership dates not yet entered | — |
| Roy A. Steinmetz | Richmond Hill member; Wakefield founder | 1929 | Became Wakefield’s first junior warden | Wakefield’s Founders |
| Henry Christ | Richmond Hill member; Wakefield founder | 1929 | Earlier affiliation recorded in Wakefield’s anniversary history | Wakefield’s Founders |
The November 1932 Past Masters’ Night reference establishes status by that date, not a particular term during the 1920s.
Wakefield Lodge No. 1110
Wakefield’s anniversary history dates its organizing meeting to November 12, 1929, at the Glen Morris Civic Club in South Ozone Park.
The proposed officers rehearsed in Edward W. Palmer’s cellar.
Institution followed on September 8, 1930, in Cathedral’s room.
Constitution took place on June 11, 1931, in Tadmor’s temple.
The account also describes church premises and later meetings in Richmond Hill’s temple.[7]
The Eleven Founders
This is the founding group recorded in the anniversary history, not a separately verified complete charter roster.
| Name | Wakefield connection | Earlier affiliation in the source | Research note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edward W. Palmer | Founder; author of the 1940 history | Astor No. 603 | Provided the cellar practice space |
| William A. Rauh | Founder and first Master | Naval No. 69 | Recorded as district deputy for the Second Queens District in 1933 |
| Thomas J. Hart | Founder | Day Star No. 798 | Individual life and membership records to be entered |
| Howard T. Hart | Founder | Day Star No. 798 | Individual life and membership records to be entered |
| George Caldicott | Founder | Anthon No. 769 | Individual life and membership records to be entered |
| Einar N. Ericson | Founder | Hill Grove No. 540 | Individual life and membership records to be entered |
| Jeromus H. Meissner | Founder | Hillside No. 894 | Membership-transfer details remain unresolved |
| Otto L. Thomsen | Founder | Mizpah No. 738 | Membership-transfer details remain unresolved |
| Michael G. Segelbacher | Founder | Oxoboxo No. 116, Montville, Connecticut | Individual life and membership records to be entered |
| Roy A. Steinmetz | Founder and first junior warden | Richmond Hill No. 892 | Also indexed in the Richmond Hill section |
| Henry Christ | Founder | Richmond Hill No. 892 | Also indexed in the Richmond Hill section |
Duplicate entries across sections are intentional where the evidence establishes more than one affiliation.
Read Eleven Men, Nine Lodges: Wakefield’s Founders →
Granite Lodge No. 1011
Granite organized with members from Tadmor.
The chronology gives institution on November 25, 1922, and charter on May 3, 1923.
The reported charter membership was thirty-four.
Granite used Tadmor’s earlier premises and later contributed a pipe organ to Tadmor’s new temple.
It combined with Cathedral on May 4, 1976.[1][8]
Charter Roster Research
| Research item | Period | Current position |
|---|---|---|
| Reported thirty-four charter members | 1923 | Names awaiting transcription and verification |
Read Tadmor’s Institutional Lineage →
Read One Hall in Ridgewood: Granite’s Organ Connection →
Cathedral Lodge No. 1031
Cathedral received its charter in 1924.
Its meeting-place history includes the Civic Theatre Building at 113-10 Liberty Avenue.
Wakefield was instituted in Cathedral’s room in 1930.
Cathedral combined with Granite on May 4, 1976.[1][7]
Charter Roster Research
| Research item | Period | Current position |
|---|---|---|
| Charter membership | 1924 | Name-by-name roster not yet entered |
The absence of named entries is a directory gap, not evidence that the roster cannot be recovered.
Members Documented in Combined Lodges
A member identified only with a combined body should not automatically be assigned to its oldest predecessor.
Record the institution actually named in the source.
| Name | Documented institution | Life or activity reference | Biographical or research note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harold Bernard Maybeck | Richmond Hill-Wakefield | Died 1987 | Associated in the supplied research with H. G. Maybeck Co., canvas goods and flags; earlier individual lodge affiliation remains to be established |
Future entries may be added here under:
- Richmond Hill-Wakefield.
- Cathedral-Granite.
- Queensboro.
- Anchor-Astoria.
Move or duplicate an entry in a predecessor section only when the earlier membership is documented.
Articles About This Line
- Anchor-Astoria Lodge No. 729: Main History
- Across Queens to College Point: The Lineage Essay
- Astoria’s Thirteen Founders
- The Tuesday Night Visitors
- Thomas J. Towers and the Queens Masonic Association
- Where the Lines Meet: The College Point Temple
- The Two James Prowses
- Wakefield’s Eleven Founders
- Castle Hall on 31st Avenue
- Two Lodges in Two Nights: Arcanum Hall
The separate College Point building, Richmond Hill temple and No. 892 articles should be linked when their publication paths are confirmed.
Source Notes
1. Lineage and Consolidations
Grand Lodge of New York records as compiled by Brete Murphy.
The author’s Anchor-Astoria series and revised lineage essay.
The dates in the table summarize institutional stages; formal terminology should follow the controlling records.
2. Anchor and Astoria
Anchor-Astoria Lodge No. 729, “History,” approximately 1998, as transcribed in the author’s research packet.
Anchor’s early meeting place is attributed to lodge tradition.
Astoria’s unnamed mother lodge is not treated as conclusive proof of every founder’s Advance membership.
3. Henry C. Buncke
The author’s Buncke feature and the Advance Service Mizpah historian’s research notes.
Approximate life dates from unverified family trees are not adopted.
Contemporary corroboration of the Whitestone assistance remains a research priority.
4. The Prowse Records
Henry Martin, “Historical Data of Advance Lodge,” November 20, 1915.
Advance Lodge records as examined and summarized by Brete Murphy.
The supplied 1926 banquet clipping.
The father’s donation, the son’s occupation and the father’s unidentified mastership remain separate facts.
5. Richmond Hill
The author’s Richmond Hill research, including:
- Daily Long Island Democrat, April 10, 1911.
- Brooklyn Eagle coverage, May 1912.
- Richmond Hill summons, January 27, 1944.
- The temple and member clippings assembled for the series.
The preferred institution date is May 17, 1911, pending reconciliation with conflicting later references.
Original citations for individual member entries should be attached as the directory develops.
6. Thomas J. Towers
The author’s Towers article and underlying sources, including the January 4, 1925 Brooklyn Daily Times report.
The first-presidency reference remains attributed to that contemporary account.
7. Wakefield
Wakefield Lodge No. 1110, tenth-anniversary book, 1940.
Edward W. Palmer, “Ten Years of Masonic Endeavor.”
Supplies the founding roster, earlier affiliations and early arrangements.
The founders’ membership-transfer details require individual records.
8. Granite and Tadmor
The author’s Granite research and Queens Masonic District historical material.
Brooklyn Eagle, November 30, 1926, for the organ gift.
Use of Tadmor’s first premises is distinguished from a contribution to the second temple.
9. Directory Status
This is an incomplete research index.
Several names still require life records, precise office terms or individual source citations.
No claim of a complete deceased-members roster is made.
Direct clipping URLs were not supplied with the manuscript.
Anchor-Astoria: Main History · Anchor-Astoria’s Lineage · The College Point Temple
The Seven Lodges: Complete Series Guide · Connecting Stories · Queens History Blog
